And Mattithiah, and Elipheleh, and Mikneiah, and Obededom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah ,.... These six were appointed to sound: with harps on the Sheminith to excel ; which Sheminith some take to be an harp with eight strings, or the beginning of a song, or a musical tone, the bass; see the title of Psalm 6:1 . read more
On the Sheminith - According to the Targum, this signifies an instrument that sounded an octave, or, according to others, an instrument with eight strings. The Syriac and Arabic have it, instruments to sing with daily, at the third, sixth, and ninth hour; the Vulgate, an octave, for a song of victory: some think the eighth band of the musicians is intended, who had the strongest and most sonorous voices; and that it is in this sense that shelomith and lenatstseach should be... read more
There are few happier, and perhaps no better, chapters in any one's life than the chapter of practical repentance. To have to sorrow over the past and to undo it is, no doubt, the incident of a fallen nature and of a frail, imperfect life. When once, however, the necessity has arisen, then to sorrow no barren sorrow, but to add to it reparation, alteration, amendment, is at one and the same time to fling a just, manly defiance at the merciless spirit of remorse and to pay the merited homage... read more
The psalteries on Alamoth ( 1 Chronicles 15:20 ), and harps on the Sheminith to excel ( 1 Chronicles 15:21 ), are descriptions the exact significance of which is not yet satisfactorily ascertained. Yet their connection in a series of four divisions of musical duty does throw some light upon them. These four verses manifestly purport to describe a special part to be performed by those of whom they respectively speak. Gesenius explains psalteries on Alamoth to mean such instruments as... read more
Harps on the Sheminith - “Sheminith” properly means “the eighth,” and has been compared with the modern musical term “octave.” Further, “Sheminith” and “Alamoth” are regarded as contrasted, and the harps of Mattithiah and his companions are supposed to have been pitched an octave below the psalteries of Zechariah and his brethren.The word translated “to excel,” is taken as meaning “to lead,” and Mattithiah, etc., as leaders of the singers. read more
1 Chronicles 15:21. With harps on Sheminith Some think Sheminith signifies a harp with eight strings. But perhaps, as was said of Alamoth, it might be the name of a tune, or note, or part in music. Or it might be the beginning of some psalm much used. Its signification is very doubtful, nor is it necessary to know it. To excel The original word לנצח , lenatzeach, being derived from נצח , natzach, to overcome, is thought by Strigelius to signify an extension or elevation of the voice... read more
The ark comes to Jerusalem (13:1-16:7)David knew that part of the reason for Israel’s previous weakness was Saul’s lack of interest in its religious life. Even the ark of the covenant, symbol of God’s presence, lay forgotten in a country house. David set out to restore the ark to its rightful place at the centre of the nation’s religious life. In bringing the ark to Jerusalem, his aim was to make Jerusalem the religious, as well as the political, centre of Israel. But his plans suffered an... read more
Sheminith = the eighth. (See App-65 .) to excel = to lead. read more
The transport of the Ark to JerusalemThis chapter is parallel to 2 Samuel 6:12-23, but contains much new matter respecting the Levites who bare the ark, and the singers.1. Pitched for it a tent] According to 1 Chronicles 16:39 the Mosaic tabernacle still existed, but the ark, since its capture by the Philistines, had not rested in it, and a new tent was now substituted to contain it. 4. The children of Aaron] i.e. the priests. 13. After the due order] It is implied “that the conveyance of the... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Chronicles 15:1-24
Preparation is here made for the bringing of the ark home to the city of David from the house of Obed-edom. It is here owned that in the former attempt, though it was a very good work and in it they sought God, yet they sought him, not after the due order, 1 Chron. 15:13. ?We did not go about our work considerately; and therefore we sped so ill.? Note, It is not enough that we do that which is good, but we must do it well?not enough that we seek God in a due ordinance, but we must seek after... read more